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Product: Designer USB flash drives
Developer: Mimoco
Minimum Requirements: USB 1.1 to hi-speed USB 2.0 port
Retail Price: $24.95 to $109.95 (1GB to 8GB models)
Availability: Out now

Used to be that the coolest looking computer peripheral available was Hubzilla. This was a Firewire hub that was obviously meant to look as much like Godzilla as possible without getting the Toho lawyers riled up. I never bought one, which I guess now is a good thing considering Firewire is apparently going the way of Godzilla himself (we’re approaching five years, Toho, so let’s get busy).

It’d odd, really, that the device to usurp Hubzilla is such a tiny little thing. At first glance, they don’t appear to be computer peripherals at all. They seem more like hip pieces of art or lawn gnomes for the Barbie Dream House, or something of that sort. But they’re actually USB flash drives called Mimobots, and there are a lot of them.

With their caps on, the Mimobots look like weird little people, or, indeed, robots. Some, in fact, are designed to look like specific people or robots; Mimoco has released lines licensed from Star Wars, Halo, and others. Now, I’m not a fan of any Star Wars movie that didn’t involve Luke Skywalker’s hand getting cut off, and I’m too rugged a fellow to get excited about something because it’s “cute,” but take a look at the C-3PO and R2-D2 Mimobots below.

OMG! 2 cute! Love it!

Thankfully, there are many Mimobots available that feature blood and gore to save me from the third grade girl who apparently still lives inside my psyche.

They way the Mimobot site is set up, it’s hard to determine exactly how many models are available. It’s split up in ambiguous categories such as Core Series, VDC Series, Artist Series, etc. I don’t know what any of that means, but the largest category has 55 items, so we at least know there are that many. The designs aren’t permanent, though. When a particular item series sells out, it’s gone for good. In fact, I was a bit disappointed to find the “Almost Gone” category, because I really dig the rayD8gig design, which is sold out, and the Protobot0, which has low stock. Mimoco is so fond of their old designs that they’ve set up a page dedicated to the retired Mimobots.

The thing about these designs, however, is that you’re paying a premium just for the look of the Mimobot. Although a 1GB model will generally run you a manageable $24.95, the 8GB models can run up over $100. You can get 8GB flash drives on Amazon right now for as little as $15.75. I can’t (and wouldn’t) vouch for the quality of a $15 8GB flash drive, but reputable companies such as SanDisk and Kingston have drives on sale now for $20 to $25.00. Is it worth $75 just to get a flash drive that looks like Princess Leia? When she’s not in her slave costume?

But Mimoco makes no bones about the fact that these are “designer” flash drives. Indeed, the word is right there in the logo. You’re paying a premium to get a design that your kids will happily dangle from their book bag as they walk around school. It’s another way for them to reflect their personality. And it’s not like you haven’t spent extra cash for them already. You bought them High School Musical pencils and Emily the Strange notebooks, may as well toss in a Happy Tree Friend USB flash drive.

And it’s not like design is all you’re paying for. These are durable, speedy flash drives that will provide more power and capacity than you’re likely to use. My Holybot by the fickilians model has been beaten around in my briefcase, dropped from my desk, and tossed around by my kids until I could convince them it wasn’t a toy, and it shows no ill-effects. For an additional $5.00, you can add a cute little hoodie (with lanyard) to protect the finish and keep the drive attached to a zipper, keychain, etc. The only major concern I have is that the base is quite wide on some models, and will therefore crowd into other USB ports if they’re close together on your computer or hub.

Are the Mimobots worth the premium price? Well, yes, of course they are, just like Macintoshes and iPods are. Whether for your fashion-conscious niece or your geeky tech/sci-fi loving self, there’s a Mimobot that will not only suit the user’s personality, but also work dependably.

Now, if they could just make a Godzilla drive…or, better yet, Jet Jaguar! OMG! 2 cute! Love it!